Struggling with knee pain?

Knee pain can be the cause of a number of structures both above and below the knee as well as the knee itself. Here we discuss the biomechanics of the lower limb and how they might reduce your knee pain.

Have you eve heard your physiotherapist telling you to keep your knee ‘in line’ with your toes or hips?

Biomechanics

Knee valgus as it is known clinically is a term used to describe the ‘collapsing’ of the knee over the midline (or big toe).

This happens due to an imbalance in muscles around the hip and thigh. Underactive and overactive muscles do not promote the balance (‘synergy’) that they should and this causes the knee to drop inwards. This can lead to pain in the hip, knee, foot or ankle and can take time to correct. Clinically we see this frequently and more often in females than males. We often see it in our running and cycling patients but it can affect people that sit at desks for long periods with their legs crossed.

So how to fix it?

Strength and flexibility are the key – regaining the synergy of the muscles helps with the alignment and this stops us from overloading certain structures such as the knee. Gluteal strength is required to keep the knee under the hip and core muscle strength is needed to keep the pelvis still – both of these muscle groups working together will place the leg in it’s best position to avoid injury.

Need more help and advice?

Give us a call on 0118 9462299 and our expert physiotherapy team will give you some advice.

Thatcham Clinic

Recent Testimonial

I have been having treatment for a couple of weeks and have been seeing Noelia at the Western Elms Surgery.

I have been amazed by the professionalism by Noelia and always doing an amazing job. She has sorted out my chronic left side of my shoulder and has been giving me practical information to support and exercise. She is a real treasure, a physio with magic hands. All I can say she been doing an amazing job. First time ever I felt someone actually cares about the pain I live with. S